Do Not Walk Away From LEASE OPERATOR Programs, RUN!
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- Опубликовано: 17 май 2024
- Whether a company truck driver, thinking about getting your CDL or a new truck driver, you need to pay attention to this!
Many of you will be aware of the LEASE OPERATOR programs trucking companies offer.
You may have heard us 'preach' about these lease operator programs in the past!
Well here's another update on these programs which we do NOT recommend.... and here's just ANOTHER REASON WHY!
Dave talks about a recent court ruling against PRIME and a Lease Operator. Interesting stuff and stuff you SHOULD KNOW!
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The wisdom of Dave is never disappointing. You rookies really need to listen to this man.
Great insight 😎
I currently drive for prime and quite honestly the pay isn't as good as probably most truckers make outside of a mega carrier play as far as mega carriers are concerned I would say that they pay more than the majority. I commented just a little while ago and I think that you should read my comments because it's all first-hand experience as far as prime as concerned.
A friend of mine is looking into this stuff, and they were dead set on lease driving because their dad does.
... Linked them this dude's stuff, because the knowledge of this dude is solid to pass on. \o/
Will do, love the internet.
Got that right hes great and knows his stuff
All the dislikes were carriers.
Most likely carrier executives wanting to screw more drivers
I suspect I have the same problem on my channel in addition to me being a boring presenter.
The carriers ALL have DISLIKE spammers as friends...
Or lease operators that don't want to admit they are getting screwed.
After 43 years of driving, there is only one thing you have to remember and that is "You only got that load cause you where the cheapest"
This is why I'm glad I found your channel before I got my permit! I'm sticking to being a company driver until I can afford to become an actual owner operator. Screw that leasing bullshit!
Good move Deanna! Dave
Number 1 reason:
- You don't control your loads so you have no control over your money.
Schneider has a load board and they pick their loads.
Schneider you do
Depends on who you drive for. Never go with mega carriers!!
#1 reason - your name isn't on that title until final payment. They can cancel your lease anytime. You have no claim to the truck.
As a young guy that just started trucking school, I'm glad I found these videos. I don't know anyone that actually is a trucker so I would never have known these things.
Thanks Dave.
That's the best advice I've heard since my friend said, "DON'T marry her" LOL🤣🤣🤣!!! 🚛
Andre Brown 😂😂😂
Andre Brown - Yeah but most guys, probably you & I included married her anyways. LOL It’s true
I've been driving for 3 years now and entering my 4th. I used to disagree with you on these lease programs, but as time has gone by I now agree with you comepletely. Stop drinking the company cool aid drivers, it's poisonous!
Daniel Ladd
Reverend Jim Jones used grape flavored Flavor-Aid to mix his cayanide , not Kool Aid , please help stop the perpetuation of this myth . But in the 1980s Kool Aid is guilty of millions of dollars of private property structural damage by allowing their mascot to crash through people's walls instead of using the doors to enter or handing it through the window when his ample girth did not permit him to use a door. They have since made full restitution to the property owners through the " reckless sugary drink mascot insurance fund act of 1992 "
Took you 3 years to learn a lesson. Better late than never
I've been in trucking almost 3 months now and i talked to some of the guys who lease with my company and after talking to them, my first thought was "welp if i ever become a owner/lease operator I'm going to buy my truck." They are paying $1000 a week
charron better late than neveeeeeeer 👍🏼
@@1979mackdriver 😂😅😅😆😆😆😆
Thank you God ,i need to hear this!!!! I was about to fall in this trap...
Thomas Johnson my friend CHARLES is doing it and he’s successful and his truck is almost paid off and he was allowed to take the truck to different carriers
@@donje31 But he was perhaps in a lease deal from a 3rd party, not the trucking company. And that can happen. We are talking about the lease deals direct from the trucking company.
Landstar.
Thomas Johnson don’t believe the hype. If you down to run and work OTR 4-6 weeks the money is there. $2K+ a week take home. People who never worked with Prime always have the most false information to spread
After 6 years of driving, I thought about becoming an O/O. But I wasn't going to be a company driver paying all the costs for operating a truck so the company keeps all the money. My company had a training program for O/O that they put all new O/O through (They paid you for the 2 weeks) so I talked with my manager and she told me to call the team. I did. They told me that I could go to a dealer and work with a bank, but I should call them before I signed to see if they would be able to do a better rate. The woman I talked to asked me if I had at least 10% in cash to put down, and if I would be setting up a repair account myself. She said if the answer to either of those is not yes, you are not ready to go out on your own.
Lease operator relationship sounds alot like uber lyft drivers.
I always wanted to do over the road because my old man was. Back in the early 2000s I ran with my old man every summer time and it was great.
Now I work for a local food delivery company. My dad told me to stay at this job because I work tuesday-friday, I get paid by the hour, and I'm home every night working 10-14hours a day, and we get overtime pay after 40hours in a week. So if the truck breaks down, or some freight is coming in late I get paid. When I'm on the clock I'm getting paid. Also we are elog exempt.
My dad told me theres hardly any money in OTR anymore. That's why he drives local now too.
My company is small, we have 5drivers and it's almost like they are family, because it is a small family business. The Owner treats us all very fairly and I'm happy with my job.
Local delivery jobs by the hour I think are the way to go if you find a good carrier.
Father knows best
I agree, I’ve done OTR until 2001 and started driving tankers locally getting paid by the hour with great overtime delivering gas and diesel to gas stations, jet fuel and AVGAS to the airports and airfields, always home every night but my weekends were Thursday and Friday, I worked on most holidays and I got tired of it, I currently work for the railroad since 2006, it’s a whole lot different now with the railroad, it’s Monday through Friday, off on all weekend and holidays, the option to work overtime or not in some cases, it’s the best career change I’ve ever had.
i too work locally. i get paid by the day, driving milk tanker. i made 60 grand last year. i also dont think OTR is was it once was. its way too lonely and miserable of a life for way little money. i have a wife and two kids. i go home at the end of the day.
@@ad356 I wish I did 60k. I did 45 last year. But since I have three day weekends I have a paying hobby witch gives me extra.
And also this was my first full year of driving(2018). So to me 45 ain't to bad for a 22 year old single guy. I'm happy with it.
Good pay and home every night, your feet should be glued to that company.
you know... I'm going into Prime's training program the first week of April and I was planning on going lease... After watching your channel, I have changed my mind. Thank you!!
This is misrepresentative. Prime does have its issues but arbitration is standard for almost any employer. Most contacts ask for arbitration first with an employer. This guy is just trashing prime. They don't call lease operators owner ops. They are upfront about what you're signing. I know many drivers with tens of thousands in emergency funds that drive for prime, as a result of his good stewardship. Have good expectations, understand the agreements, have meaningful conversation with your fleet manager.
They really own you if you lease from them. And you can't even quit and move on. All they have to do is starve you for work and they get the truck back.
Guess what happens if you have a truck payment while you're snowed in at the truck stop? You STILL have to make your pay.. Honestly not much different dude.
@@foreverstrong8588 snowed in what ???? What is that supposed to mean
@@foreverstrong8588 Very much different. Not earning income is one thing, not making money and having a truck payment to make is another. Company drivers don't have to worry about paying for a truck that isn't making money.
It’s sad. When I was with my trainer at CR England he broke that nonsense down to me and why he never went home. Also running like crazy just to pay the truck note, fuel etc 🤦🏾♂️
Everyone in the trucking industry is there to make money, including the driver. Not everyone has the same “luck” ether but more than “luck” is knowing/learning where to go and how to do it. I didn’t have the means to buy a truck so I tried a lease-purchase option but did a “test” first with the people that offered this lease-purchase. Got decent results from my “test”, did the lease-purchase deal and after 2 years the title of truck I’m driving was put on my name. This transition from lease to owner operator happened on August 2018 and I’m still driving MY truck 😀👍. Interesting video!
The best part about Prime is the decal on the back door. They're one of the slowest trucks on the road, so you see the decal, gives you time to plan ahead.
Right lol
Kevin King You are so right! On my way home from work today on 287N roads were empty and there was a Prime rig going exactly 65 in a 65 zone. Roads were empty due to the closures in the NY/NJ area traffic was flying by.
I lived near a large military base and they had their own tv channel on that channel they ran Schneider infomercials aimed at soon to retire military personnel. The military at that time gave a separation package of around $30,000 Schneider was pitching a owner operator lease program for $25,000 down .
No kidding on stay away from company sponsored leasing my current company is trying to get me to lease a truck I told them why buy one of your trucks when I can put the same money down on a truck that I can spec and be something that I would actually want to buy. Great videos keep it up and be safe.
You too! Thanks for watching! Dave
They always give you a used truck never new.Truckers also used to stick together how many fought and died because companies running all night.What a shame working for free showers.
JJBRISTOL048 you are a smart individual.
Difference is if you fail with your financed truck from a dealer they repo it and screw up your credit. That's a benefit of leasing if it doesn't work out take the truck back and your credit isn't screwed up.
Thank you for the helpful information. I’m starting my trucking school on 01/03/21 but I been asking question from guys that is in the trucking business, OP and watching RUclips videos about trucking since April of 2020.
My school is paid fully by a grant that I don’t even have to pay back and I will never , never , never sign a lease contact because of this video and many others. Thanks for the information.
P.S. don’t let trucking companies pay for your schooling if you can, go get a loan, borrow the money or setup a payment arrangement with the school.
The companies is going to do is take the money back in the long run or put you in a year contact. Trust me, you will not regret it later on down the road.
Another reason to STAY AWAY FROM 'NEVER/NEVER PLANS": company gives you excellent miles and destinations for the first two months. And then the loads start drying up. "Sorry we don't have any loads going out west or south, but we do have these loads (usually with multiple drops) going to New York, or Baltimore , or Boston. You need to make your "lease" payments, so you grudgingly accept these awful assignments. Welcome to the wonderful world of being a lease operator. Sheer Hell! Stay away from this scam! I've been trucking (as an employed driver) for 41 years . Listen to 'old timers' like Dave (or myself). We have seen all of the scams in this industry, and we hate to see guileless young folks be deceived by this industry. I still like banging down the road, but I have always despised this industry. The trucking industry is one vast viper pit. Do your research before you get on board. Stay safe out there guys-and gals!
Depends on how you work it tbh...if u keep a trainee, you can really bank as a lease operator.dominic also chose the wrong lease program with prime...always go with a walk away lease if you're wanting to try it out
You said it, my friend. My first company, C. R. England, tried to get me and others in my class to become lease operators right out of trucking school. I said no, and I'm glad I did.
I thank this man in the video. He had the balls to make this video to prevent others from making the same loudsy and chitty mistake of doing contracts that never is gonna help you out.
I'm glad I quit over the road and went to the oilfield 20 years ago holy cow
How
Let me, 47 years out here, Done all of it. What I like About leasing is very simple. After 7 years with PRIME, I paid off 2 leases, and could have bought out either of them for a VERY reasonable amount. In 2010, My wife died suddenly. If I had a bank loan guess what, Id of had to keep driving. With my lease, I drove back to Pittston yard, Parked the truck and walked away. 1 month later I received a check for the balance. This guy has great stories from other guys. I have a personal story. If you run, Don't spend foolishly you can make money with Prime. There are many drivers who have been there longer then I was. I ran NE, Very good freight rates, don't know about today. But I averaged a bit over 2 bucks a mile. Before surcharge. I WOULD never sign my life away for a truck with a bank. AND NO, Prime did not break me, or ruin my credit. But remember one thing, I wasn't a nube when I started with Prime. I already had 30 years out here. Company, O/O, and independent. So I knew what I was doing. I will agree that a rookie should no way do anything except company drive for a few years to find out what this business is about and if it's for you. To many drivers out here stuck with payments and hate what their doing. Just my thoughts and experience. Just remember there are two sides to everything. Now start all the hate comments. I'm not a snow flake, Words don't hurt. LOL
raymond brosious exactly and your situation differs from everyone else. That’s why I don’t understand why people not you, say one thing is bad or don’t do this because their paths to success isn’t on the same road.
47 yrs under your belt & your cheerleading for one of the most notorious scammers in the industry? If you are an experienced O/O or independent , why would you ever lease a company truck? " I knew what I was doing" ? Naw not so much. I have only been driving since 91 but if Prime was reputable they would never let a nob rent one of their trucks. If prime was reputable they would pay published percentage not cpm. If Prime was reputable they would not have nobs training nobs. And the list goes on & on.
Agree 100%. I was the newb that signed a lease. I also went into trucking knowing that my goal would be to eventually own my own truck some day. I had no intention of owning one through prime but i did want to jump in head first and learn how to swim. I swam in 72k work of gross jncome to myself after expenses and i freakin loved it. Gotta know when to say no. Saying yes to everything will leave you broke!
I'm gonna stay company for a few years to see if this is for me. I don't know how leasing is for prime but in stevens transport it looks like a total crap shoot. I've heard lease and owner operators complain bout the program.
Exactly. There really are always two sides.
Trucking for 23 years and this man is correct trucking companies play dirty. I can't think of one mega carrier that pays fair
I have heard these horror stories from ex-lease operators, too!
I drive for Prime on the company side and it’s not to bad. I’ve secured a dedicated run that gets me home everyday with weekends off. I can’t complain.
The great part about being a company driver is that I’m only responsible for being on time and keeping the truck/trailer safe. No tire fund, no fuel bills, no shop bills, no CPA and the end of the year. The simplest way, seems to be the best way.
Usually is! Stay safe Mike and thanks for writing in! Dave
The simplest way you describe is the way of the rat race. Simple people get deli leftovers!
Prime sucks company driver cant idle apu gelled up its -50 in Chicago prime cant idle hurt the resale of the truck
What run do you have?
@Trucker Rodriguez Certainly better weather, as long as the AC isn't on the fritz. ;)
Kudos on this video. I can speak from experience. I started out with Prime, Inc. for the “paid” training. I had a bit of trouble adjusting to driving with a 53’ trailer and had several minor dings, usually small scratches or dents. As a result I had four separate trainers. They all sucked. They were non-communicative, ignorant and arrogant. In addition even company drivers are told they have to pay for chains, load locks, trailer locks, etc. I did, regrettably, do the lease-operator thing and it was a nightmare. My weekly operator “expenses” were over $1300 / week and that didn’t count any fuel. I was repeatedly asked to take loads in which I would break even, lose money or just barely make money. Run away from these scenarios as as fast as possible.
I've got just over 1 year of experience. Yesterday someone tried to convince me to leave my company and lease from his company. When he wouldn't hear me when I said that I don't think 1 year is enough experience for me to have owner responsibilities, I knew I would never work there.
Back in the 90’s I remember Burlington had a deal like that. Some type of truck loan program where they were basically standing as the bank. Once you paid the truck off it was yours. I remember a ton of guys never getting work in their last 6 months to a year of the last part of the loan. Burlington got the truck back and started again with the next naive driver that came along. They eventually got busted I believe.
They went bankrupt 2nd time. Celadon held a note if I'm not mistaken & they called it in. They fired me & demanded money in 72hrs for the lease buyout. I was happy when they went out of business.
As a young driver for 3 years, all you want in the industry is a truck that goes over 70. Period. Everything else is greed and let me tell you the company is way more greedy than you’ll ever be.
Looks like I shouldn't bother huh
Compound turbo 3406 in a glider. It'll pass the guys doing 70 effortlessly just gotta watch for smokeys
What's even worse is that these lease operators are often less experienced than the company drivers. Guys cant slide their tandems, cant really back, but they boast about owning their own truck.
Exactly, they are all over RUclips.
Yeah. Pretty bad to "own" your own truck and not even be able to slide the tandems or back.
You're right! Dave
homer randall 7-10 years is WAY too long.
What is backing?
Excellent advice! I own a 92 kw w900l, it doesn’t owe me a dime. I keep it up mechanically and looking good which keeps the dot of my back, even had some good comments from them. I lease it to a heavy equipment/heavy haul company in Alberta and run western Canada. Nice owning your own truck. If I don’t like what’s going on with the company I’m at I just turn in my plates and fuel cards and go to another company. It’s a bit hard sometimes running older iron to find a company to lease onto but usually once they see the truck and run it through their shop I don’t have a problem. No emissions problems, no def, just and old 425b block cat. Will run forever
You got it made Kevin!! Dave
Thats great to hear Kevin! How many miles on your 92 now since new?
You wanna sell it??
'The Never Never Plans" !! First time I heard that was back in the late 90's with a carrier you probably know well from Simcoe Ontario B.R.Smith. I was a company driver and they had a whole bunch of "Lease Operators" and that's what the company drivers called those lease plans.Nice video Dave,my heart broke in two when you told the story about that family heating frozen dinners on their truck engine.I could imagine how horrible the father/ husband of that family must of felt not being able to properly feed his family.Its a crime to rob a hard working man from the ability to provide for his family, especially in an industry that has plenty of work and money but lacks respect for the men and women that do all the hard work and deserve to GET PAID for it..Shameful!! You were very kind to stop and then buy them a meal, you have something these carriers don't have.....a Heart. thank you Dave.
Thanks for writing in! Last I heard Smith had gone broke again, is that the case? Dave
Smart Trucking Dave I left that sinking ship in 2000. I know that they were bought by Fastfrate ( I would see their trucks parked in the Fastfrate Lachine yard)and that they still struggled even after the merger.I don’t know what’s up with them now but I do sometimes see a BR Smith truck on the 401 on my Montreal-Toronto runs on the weekends .
john smith kept his yards they were never part of the bankrupcy,fastfrate used them and smith started selling them off.in around feb of 2018 fastfrate closed the steel divison down as most of the trucks and trailers were junk.smith still has his walsh yard and rents it out to pride trucking
Pride group Logistics in fort Erie
Dave,
Thanks you for being willing to be GUT level honest about the danger of the lies that carriers tell drivers!! Those stories should raise the hair on the back of every drivers neck. Anything we can tell people trapped in that nightmare.
May we all strive to show the same concern for other drivers that you showed to that family. We all know what it's like to have a bad day. The kindness you show a driver one day may be the kindness you need the next day!
I feel fortunate that I was trained and hired by companies that really cared about me.
I started with Prime and leased a truck with a walk away contract. I leased it knowing I did not plan to finish the lease and own a truck through them. I paid all the overhead costs and a grossed 72k to myself my first year. I only left to go regional and then eventually local. Great training, great equipment and i often recommend prime to new drivers. Just gotta know when to turn down a load and explain why to your dispatch.
Thank you boss. I’m starting fresh in the industry starting February and after watching your vids and rich I feel I will be having a much better start.
I leased on to a company and was able to take the truck when I left. I was given the power of attorney over the truck and all the paperwork I needed to get a new tag and insurance. Got my llc and been running under a friend of mine authority.
My truck is a 2020 freight liner, I got it with zero miles on it. My down payment was 2,700k.... and I only stayed with the company I got the truck from for a month
I was one of the installers for the GPS tracking systems Prime put in their low credit specials. These poor guys are just sold down the river with a two year rig on a four year lease. Yet they wonder why there's a true drivers shortage.
Thank you . You say things just right ! You know how it is . To many ( kids ) are driving with extreme danger to meet a deadline . As you know ...the receiver does not care . I took your advice over the years and did NOT SIGN a LEASE or ( CO OP ) Fed ex comes to mind ...I am a 30 year driver and quitting ASAP only because of the race truck drivers that we have now . THEY ARE DANGEROUS !
I didn’t buy my first truck until 12 years in the industry so glad I learned first
Story never changes those with the least are always the first to be taken advantage of the most. I personally put a lot of blame on easy credit
a lot of people lust after no money down business opportunities the words are right in front of their eyes, no money-no opportunities.
I will say I research for over a year on the lease purchase programs of many many companies. All but one company that I came across end up basically not making it able to afford the balloon payments. I completely agree about prime. KLLM at the end of your lease contract you buy the title for $1. Yes ONE. So you can actually own the truck in the end. They are the only company that I found where you can actually own a truck.
Prime also does have a 1$ pay off lease
Dave , not many people out there are willing to help and share information as you do. A real eye opener. Thank you for this video and thank God I watched it.
I'm Dominic and I approve this message.
Sounds like a good idea when starting out in trucking is to make friends with an experienced trucker who's seen it all and can give tips as well as warnings.
After driving for over 15 years, and getting ruined in a divorce my credit was not enough to get a loan, I am with a small company that I have been driving for for years, and I leased from them. I got a slightly used glider(so no emissions bs) at a bit below market value, 2 years lease to own, and a warranty on my engine. My lease is a no obligation walk away lease (if it comes to that) It might be because its a small 30 unit company but I have honestly made tons more money and am loving it. I spent months researching this lease and honestly it worked out for me exactly the same as if I could get a loan. Plus I was a ase diesel master tech so i do almost all of my own repairs.
If you were ase master certed and you drive the truck yourself why in the world would you be considering a lease. First I don’t know your skill level but according to ase you should be able to bring any truck back to life.. I do it all the time find 4-10k trucks with engine issues and fix them for pennies. Another issue is trucking is declining but tech jobs are booming. When I left the dealer I was making 30 an hour with plenty of overtime in 2008, same is true today. Techs are everywhere but actual diesel mechanics that can do everything wheel to wheel you would be swimming in money staying on that side of things, of course if your health will allow it. Good luck maybe you will change your mind it will take 3 running tractors to make the same money a service truck can make if your good and build good relationships😉
Lease programs differ wildly and despite "conventional wisdom" there are some good lease purchase programs out there. I did the LP route with a great company and completed the LP; I now own the truck. Pay-wise, I made roughly what a company driver would make while building equity in the truck (paying off the lease). It took 4 years of hard work but the pay is now a good 3x what a company driver would make. Just like any other contract, read it and understand it BEFORE signing. One key provision was I had to have a true "Walk Away" lease and that's what I got.
I won't name the company because the typical uniformed hater while brand me a schill. I will just say it was a smaller size company.
HEY, I JUST WANT TO SAY YOUR A FAIR AND HONEST MAN. I APPRECIATE YOUR INTEGRITY.
You can tell this guy knows what he’s talking about
I almost fell for the trap. Thank you so much for being honest and telling us how it really is.
I can't believe I used to ignore your videos. Thanks for al your content. As a soon to be CDL holder, I'm glad I found your videos.
I used to think different but you are spot on. RUN!. As a matter of fact run from Trucking unless you 1000% want to do the job.
I had a Dart driver show me his pay statement back around 1996 in a Tennessee truck stop. I'll never forget that. His pay after all the deductions was $80 for the week! Right then I decided that I'd never be a lease operator.
Wow
I believe this man speaks the truth. I can handle being a company driver. I can't however handle the thought of being too broke to eat
Thanks for your wisdom
Smart trucker
My Uncle used to make a great roast on the engine. He had a pot with a good sealing lid like a small pressure cooker. @ noon he would throw in the roast and veggies and use bailing wire to secure it. You should have seen the looks he got when he pulled into the truckstop in the evening. After he parked drivers showed up like Mr. Smith in the Matrix to see where the smell was coming from.
Everyone that's thinking about getting into the industry should have to sit down and have a long talk with someone like Dave, before they sign anything.
I've just seen so many guys lose everything in these crooked deals!
I am new in trucking and your video saved me from falling into this trap
Thank you very much for your wisdom and advice
The problem with being a long term company driver is I dont want 6 days on 1 day off for the rest of my life. That's a terrible deal.
PS Dave speaks the truth. I was at Prime. They make leasing sound wonderful, but, trust me, it is not. Tons of company lease drivers owe Prime on their paychecks!
So many videos on youtube about his very thing and still today Prime pushes the lease to new rookies and they swallow it up with eyes wide open. I ALWAYS have steered lease curious drivers away from leasing with a carrier and even still a few have to learn what I have taught them the hard way.
Theres no way in hell you should owe more than 30%pay for lease and you better be making 2x as much as a company guy for it to be that high
Finally someone who is capable of explaining who is who and why.
Thank you sir and bravo.
Been retired for 12yrs now before all the cell phones and GPS. I can't believe how down its going, I enjoyed it started in 1970 . Now it's just playing music and seeing the states as a tourist love it. I've seen a lot of trucks retired to become campers. Good luck.
Thanks Mr. Mike, you too! Dave
@@SmartTrucking I have a few truckin driving songs on RUclips and you could learn the banjo in one day right in your sleeper great for any stress have a safe ride. Just click my picture.
I started working for a small fleet a couple of years ago family owned, best choice I’ve ever made, recently just purchased a Kenworth T680 w Cummings.
-SunnyLonghaul
(REEFER Runnin on Interstate 40😤)
Dave..Thanks for putting out Valuable n informative videos for all those who are new, naive or plain gullible. I happened to be in each of those category once before i joined that exact company not knowing much and fell into trap of independent lease operator grand scheme. Lucky for me and thanks to my dispatcher, i ran hard all year long and never got in debt, made some money but never enough to own the truck at end of lease contract as i dreamed once. Indeed, it was quite a learning experience until i figured out what a great scheme it really was. Stay far away from lease operations from this or any similar trucking companies. Leasing and running under same company is synonymous to putting all your eggs in same basket. All they have to do is assign crapy loads for short period of time and you'll find yourself in financial ruins very soon, yet under obligation to pay every nickle n dime for all expense incurred.
This is just my own experience and it maybe different from others who may have found success with success leasing@Primeinc. Good Luck.
Dave, you are so right! I met a fellow when I lived in florida back in the 80's that had leased a truck from a company that I can't remember the name , they were a florida trucking company. Well he was complaining that they weren't keeping the truck busy and he didn't know how long he was going to be able to afford it. As I remember he eventually lost the truck. That taught me just how shady trucking companies are. To me company driving is no picnic either.
I've heard so many stories just like Dominic's, this is the reason I always tell new drivers stay away from a lease purchase.
I just met this prime flatbedder today picking up at Sierra pac in Richfield. Anyway this homie had been driving for a month and had leased a truck right after training, those effin trainers didn't even teach him how to fold up tarps or properly strap down his lumber. Scary, told him he was gonna lose his tarps the way he had it on there... hope he makes it
I am so glad I landed on your videos. I've been driving for 26 years and have just under 3 million miles thanks to many years on the alcan highway. I remember all this stuff from the old timers who taught me about trucking and I am grinning through every video you make. Keep them stories coming, the next generation of truckers need to here your wisdom.
Thanks for watching Conley! Appreciate it!
The company mentioned in your story used to stock truck stops with free cassette tapes for their drivers. They pushed the fact that the only way to really make money was to maximize fuel efficiency. Now you can save money for sure by improving your consumption but it was obvious from these tapes that this was the only money they were making.... the few hundred saved by going 55mph. I've since known drivers who got caught in their web. Paychecks that gross several thousand dollars squeezed down to sometimes negative numbers.
The world needs people like Dave, blessings..
My bit of golden advice is if your carrier wants you to do something and ether your not being payed for it or it just does not sound right just say no and start looking for another job. The amount of free labor some truckers are willing to provide just astonished me. Drivers willing to sleep at the shipper to not start their clock in the morning till they are loaded, lumping freight for free, fueling up in the morning during their pretrip log time to save a few minutes. List is endless most of it is illegal and make no one any more money other than the company. If you feel like you need to work off the clock to get loaded etc in order to make money then your company is simply not paying enough and why pay you more when you are doing it for free.
So very true. For a lot of drivers it's business as usual, they don't seem to understand if your not at home you need to be getting paid for it.
Exactly right! Dave
when my company says the company has overnight parking i say so what i stay where i want to. and ask them go sleep in your car in the parking lot so your not late to work
I just left a company because they were obviously working me over for their benefit with little to nothing more than promise of a better future. It's hard to walk away from work. Moreso when other people count on you, but if you know the truth of a situation and it is like that, it's our duty to walk away, and not tomorrow but now. Sad to say but it's the harsh reality. Every corporate entity is hunting for something for nothing, and if you give it to them, their mindless drones will work you over for God knows why... Disgusting, really.
Up voted. Your comment should be #1.
I remember a company called Midwest Distribution who may have been the originators of the never never plan. Late 70s. They were sued by the goverment and went out of business if I remember correctly. Jail for some possibly. Heard a rumor that Prime was the 2nd coming of Midwest Distribution. Same ownership with lessons learned. Have no idea if it's true.
Great info Sir, I have been considering acquiring my CDL and even in just considering I have been seeing signs with advertisements about becoming a lease contractor... I'm extremely glad I run across your RUclips page lol.
I am thinking of changing careers and going otr. Thanks for your time and your valuable opinion. You are giving me all the right tools so i can make informed decisions.
I love this guy he very smart and knowledgeable and great wisdom :) I'm considering get my CDL to drive trucks. Great advice
few thoughts:
1. Most companies operate just like Dave says, they make money on taking money out of your settlement and using it to pay for their company drivers mistakes!!!
2. IF you do consider a lease purchase plan, make sure it is one with 3 years or less and a minimal to non existent balloon payment
3. Realize that as a lease operator, you are making a commitment to stay out on the road 95% of the time until you own the truck
4. understand the correlation between fixed and variable costs and your break even point.
5. READ the fine print on your contract!!! Avoid the 4 and 5 year leases, don’t lease a new truck, avoid the programs with “variable mileage” charges which basically limit you to 2000 miles a week or you pay through the nose, and only lease from a company that gives you 100% of the FSC and has generous fuel discounts. Companies to avoid are Prime, CR England, Western Express, and Roehl.
I am thinking of getting my class A cdl in a few months and your advice is a lifesaver. thank you.
I’ll die a company driver!!! See ya out there Dave.
I love you man ya got great awesome knowledge about the trucking game!! A lot of these RUclips channels about trucking!! Think they know it all!! But they don’t I’m always listen to your advice!!
Thanks! Dave
👍
Your spot on. I got double talked into a lease that I didn't realize was bound to a carrier. Worst month of my life.
We appreciate yah wisdom Dave your saving us truckers from years of pain
People also have to remember not to run like a company driver waiting for dispatch and taking the first thing that gets your wheels moving. Pick your own loads off the load board.
THANK YOU FOR TELLING PEOPLE THE TRUTH! BLESS YOU!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us I really appreciate it. I am doing truck shopping as we speak to start my own business.
You speak the truth! I experienced the same dirty plays with carriers here in europe! Keep on rolling!
Stay safe out there!
Definitely needed to see/hear this!!! Thanks so much!
Thanx for the wise advice. We need good role models like you. Please make more vids. Thanx again.
Thank you! Dave
thank you for such great advice!! I'm about to go to school to get my CDL
Solid advice in ANY industry! Companies always want to exploit labor as much as possible. They are never looking out for you, they are looking out for the CEO and shareholders alone, and looking out for them means looking for what they can take from you.
Thank you so much for this information. Im so glad i found your channel
Great advice, love your videos. If you are new... don't do anything that will tie you to your first job. You will change jobs many times over your career especially in the beginning.
Great video and advice Dave! I hope all young drivers are watching and learning! 🤙🤙
Thank you! Dave
Sweet information. Thank you for having our backs my brother. Always appreciate your videos. Stay safe out there my brothers and sisters.
You too Jimmy!
It may be luck but I consider me blessed because I was "right there 👌" to sign a contract with prime. Fortunately my driving instructor recommended me to a small company out of the school. Turns out even better than I expected. I enjoy your videos though kind sir. I'm subscribing cuz I wanna be successful in this trucking field. I just started driving 1 month now and it's great
Been there, done that with FedEx Ground in the early nineties. Glad I finally got out!
Very interesting information, I'm happy you share
Thank you very much for your clip. It helped me make my decision to walk after 2 years. I was just like "Dominic" One of the best decisions I've ever made! It was a 5 year leasing. I was a super wet behind my ears, and got to find out the were just "brokers" now a company driver for another company in Ontario. Happier now!! Thank you again for your informative clips! Back on the road!!
Yo I appreciate all your videos they’re very informative thank you!